R.S. Prussia

ORNATELY DECORATED CHINA marked “R.S. Prussia” and “R.S. Germany” continues to grow in popularity. According to the Third Series of Mary Frank Gaston’s Encyclopedia of R.S. Prussia (Collector Books), these marks were used by the Reinhold Schlegelmilch porcelain factories located in Suhl in the Germanic regions known as Prussia prior to World War I, and in Tillowitz, Silesia, which became part of Poland after World War II. Other marks sought by collectors include “R.S. Suhl,” “R.S.” steeple or church marks, and “R.S. Poland.”

The Suhl factory was founded by Reinhold Schlegelmilch in 1869 and closed in 1917. The Tillowitz factory was established in 1895 by Erhard Schlegelmilch, Reinhold’s son. This china customarily bears the phrase “R.S. Germany” and “R.S. Tillowitz.” The Tillowitz factory closed in 1945, but it was reopened for a few years under Polish administration.

“Ostriches” serving bowl, scalloped-rim mold 182, transfer-printed with two ostriches in a landscape, red and green wreath-and-star mark, late 19th/early 20th century, 9-3⁄8" dia.     $920

Prices are high and collectors should beware of forgeries that sometimes find their way onto the market. Mold names and numbers are taken from Mary Frank Gaston’s books on R.S. Prussia.

The “Prussia” and “R.S. Suhl” marks have been reproduced, so buy with care. Later copies of these marks are well done, but quality of porcelain is infe-rior to the production in the 1890-1920 era.

Collectors are also interested in the porcelain products made by the Erdmann Schlegelmilch factory. This factory was founded by three brothers in Suhl in 1861. They named the factory in honor of their father, Erdmann Schlegelmilch. A variety of marks incorporating the “E.S.” initials were used. The factory closed circa 1935. The Erdmann Schlegelmilch factory was an earlier and entirely separate business from the Reinhold Schlegelmilch factory. The two were not related to each other.

Floral-decorated beverage items, 14, chocolate pot with five cups and saucers, three-piece tea set, pot lacking cover, all mold 501 with matching transfer-printed roses and bronze/gilt shoulder band, satin finish, unmarked, late 19th/early 20th century, pot 9-1⁄2" h. overall.     $518

“Melon Boys” plate with decorative gold trim, 8-3⁄4", and ball-footed urn with Grecian women in a garden setting, closed ring handles, 4-3⁄8"; red back stamp logo on bottom of both pieces, wear to areas on each.     $80

Floral-decorated chocolate set, nine pieces, pot with four cups and saucers, mold 82 transfer-printed with roses, red and green wreath-and-star marks, late 19th/early 20th century, pot 8-1⁄2" h. overall.     $374

Nine-piece demitasse set, floral decoration, pot 9-1⁄2" h., cups 2" h.     $295

Scenic cake plate, “Icicle” mold 7 transfer-printed with Man in Mountain, sailboat and castle on cliff, red and green wreath-and-star mark, late 19th/early 20th century, 10-1⁄4" dia.     $375

Floral-decorated tankard pitcher, “Iris Variation” mold 514 transfer-printed with floral bouquet, late 19th/early 20th century, unmarked, undamaged, 10" h. overall. Provenance: From the Rudolph Evers estate collection, Bridgewater, Virginia.     $184

Floral-decorated tankard pitcher, mold 82 transfer-printed with poppies on both sides, red and green wreath-and-star mark, professional restoration to one foot, late 19th/early 20th century, 14" h. overall. Provenance: From the Rudolph Evers estate collection, Bridgewater, Virginia     $288

Floral-decorated tankard pitcher, “Carnation” mold 526 transfer-printed with roses on both sides, red and green wreath-and-star mark, late 19th/early 20th century, undamaged except for light chip under base, 11" h. overall. Provenance: From the Rudolph Evers estate collection, Bridgewater, Virginia.     $345

Winter season serving bowl, eight-lobe form with scalloped and molded rim, center transfer-printed with woman in snowy landscape, pearlized finish with shadow star transfers, unmarked, late 19th/early 20th century, 10-1⁄2" dia.     $575